Arrangement for setting a clock system with master clock



y 6, 1952 P. VANNlNl 2,595,431

ARRANGEMENT FOR SETTING A CLOCK SYSTEM WITH MASTER CLOCKS Filed Au 51, 1945 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 P. VANNlNI May 6, 1952 ARRANGEMENT FOR SETTING A CLOCK SYSTEM WITH MASTER CLOCKS Filed Aug. 51, 1945 2 SHEETS SHEET 2 I llulll u N V A! .0 QD V Patented May 6, 1952 ARRANGEMENT FOR SETTING A CLOCK SYSTEM WITH MASTER CLOCK Philipp Vannini, Zug, Switzerland, assignorto Landis & Gyr A. G., Zug, Switzerland, a body corporate of Switzerland Application August 31, 1945, Serial No. 613,769 In Switzerland September 19, 1944 7 Claims. 1

Various arrangements have already been proposed for setting an electric clock system with master clock to the given local time by forward or backward adjustment or even by temporary stoppage, i. e. locking of the secondary clocks. For such a setting, a forward adjustment or short-timed standstill of the clocks will be chiefly considered where it is the question of a stationary clock system, say in a building or in places of public utility, such as streets, squares, etc.

With portable clock systems, say, on ships, especially those for overseas, there will, due to the course of the vessel through vast geographical latitudes, frequently be required a time correction and such corrections which, in the case of an east-west course of the ship, may extend over a period of days or weeks and be realized apart from temporary stoppage of the secondary clocks (or secondaries) also by their temporary resetting or backward adjustment. The one and the other mode of correction has its merits and their appropriate application is rather a question of suitability. With regard to the construction of the master clock it appears simpler to bring the system to a standstill at a given moment, i. e. preferably when there is normally resting (i, e. about midnight) in order to restart it when local time is reached. Such a setting implies no structural modification of the master clock (or master) but involves the disadvantage that just during its standstill an observer may believe the time indicated by the clock to be correct and this possibly to give rise to complications. If the master is adapted for backward adjustment an observer suddenly sees at the moment in which the resetting takes place that the system is just being set to local time, so that he cannot read then the correct time. This resetting possibility calls in any case for a special design of the master, and on well-known constructions it still entails the drawback that the backward setting must in its extent be manually efiected by applying corresponding impulses.

But the setting to the local time in the sense of a forward adjustment or advance (Vorlauf) takes place, too, on the well-known arrangements whether concerned with a portable or astationary clock system by applying manual impulses to the extent of the time indication to be gained, and this manual setting appears to be disadvantageous in any case as it takes up at least the time of the person entrusted with the setting of the system.

Now the. present invention. relates to a setting arrangement applicable to all clock systems,

whether of the portable or stationary type. According to the invention, for a clock system with master provision is made for a control device adapted to bring about not only the advance, but also the locking or backward adjustment of the secondaries by a setting to the given local time.

The accompanying drawings show for purposes of illustration two forms of embodiment of the invention in diagrammatic-perspective view; parts being shown assembled but slightly separated for the sake of clearness.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 shows an arrangement for adjustment by advance and locking, respectively, and

Fig. 2 represents an arrangement for adjustment by advance and resetting, respectively.

Referring to Fig. 1, numeral I designates the driving power of the master clock in the form of the usual spring drive. A motionwork regulator 2 controls through gearing 3 the run-down of the clock driving power I which acts through friction-wheel 4 and gearwheel 5 upon the handaxis 6 of the clock, assuming for the same the axis carrying the master minute-hand I and on which the hour-hand I0 is rotatably mounted through the usual reduction train 8, 9.

Rigidly arranged on a differential shaft II is a disc I2 having a radially extending notch I3. Near the disc I2 and loosely rotatable on the differential shaft II is another disc I4 having a segmental notch I5 coacting with the differential shaft II through reduction gear IB, H which for one rotation of the disc l2 makes the disc I4 drive through 5 th revolution. The differential shaft II'carries in addition a planet wheel I8 which via sun-wheel I9 and gearwheel -20 communicates with a toothed wheel 5 connected through a second sun-wheel 2| and the gearing 22, 23, 24 to a power-driven shaft 25. Another springwork is assumed to be here the driving power of the shaft 25, but the power might be supplied just as well by the clock driving force I, whereby merely a differential arrangement would have to be interposed in the driving connection between I and 25.

is under the influence of a magnet 33 and adapted to slow down the movement of shaft 25. The latter still carries an eccentric 34 against which bear the limbs of a wire-spring 35 laid around the lift-pin 36 of a crank 31 and held thereto by the axis of the crank so as to form a resilient rocker. The lift-pin 36 made of insulating material passes between two spring blades 38, 39 of a switch for the secondary clock circuit, said switch further including a fixed centre part 46 and two resilient outer parts 41, 42, all three parts joined up with a D. C. power source, as: sumed here as battery 43. The secondaries 44 are connected to the switch spring blades 38, 39.

45 and 46 denote a closed current relay the coil 45 of which being connected to the switch parts and 42 and whose armature which on one arm carries an abutment 48 is under action of a spring 49 which with de-energized coil keeps the arm 41 resting against a fixed stop 56, the abutment 48 being consequently-as indicated by dotted line-biased to a point 5| which lies between the motion path of the extremities of the double lever 21.

For marking each time the condition in the l tions exposes a or sign behind the sight- 1 hole 54 of a diaphragm 55; provision being further made of a mark exhibited on an extension of arm 41 and capable of entering the range of the sighthole 54.

In driving connection with the clock handaxis 6 is a coupling shaft 51, 58 whose part 58 (exterior of the clock casing) carries an operating knob 59 and which, when at rest, holds the coupling parts 6| of the shaft out of engagement with one another by means of spring 66.

In the position shown in Fig. 1 the mechanism of the master clock is in the middle position between two moments of impulse transmission, and suppose now the clock system be in normal operation. In this position the cylinder segment 28 is retained at rest by the spring 30, the associated coupling pin 29 registering with the aligned notches l3, 15 of discs l2, l4. The double lever 21 bears against the cylinder segment 28, i. e. the driving power 26 is blocked, the rock-lever 53 is in its middle position and the index mark 56 lowered so that no sign appears in the sight-hole. Since the system is presumed to be in operation the closed current relay 45, 46 is energized, its abutment 48 is outside the path 52 and the switch of the secondary clock circuit is open on all its contacts.

The driving power I controlled by the motionwork regulator 2 turns the hand-shaft 6 and hence through gearwheels 5, 20, [9 the planet wheel 18 with the differential shaft ll so that disc [2 rotates in the direction of arrow 62 to cause an oscillation of the cylinder segment 28 by means of notch 13 through coupling pin 29. Upon oscillatory movement through a few degrees, during which motion disc [4 does not become operative on coupling pin 29 due to the great gear reduction between discs [2 and M, the cylinder segment 28 releases the lever 2'1, and the driving power 26 turns the same and with it the eccentric 34, and through wheels 24, 23, 22, 2] the planet wheel I8 the opposite way of the previous clock driving power I. The effectiveness of the driving power 26 is thereby checked by the slowing down device 3 l--33, though it still produces a substantially greater speed onto the differential shaft l i than the drive from the clock driving power I so that this shaft Ii now is, together with discs [2, i4 turned back to its initial position in the direction of arrow 63. This return brings about a backward oscillation of the cylinder segment 23, which reenters the path of lever 2i, i. e. before the same has completed a half-turn, so that the lever again becomes arrested on its second arm by the cylinder segment 28. As a result of the half-turn of the lever 2'! with the shaft 25, the eccentric 34 temporarily causes the rocker formed of parts 35, 35, 3'] to swing out to the right so that on the switch of the secondary clock circuit the spring 38 makes temporary contact with 40, and spring 39 with M, the relays of the secondaries 44 receiving a current impulse to switch these further.

Due to the arrestment of lever 21 upon a halfturn the driving power 26 is again stopped and the discs I2, M are rotated afresh from the clock driving power I in the direction of arrow 62 so that the cylinder segment 28 is again oscillated to release lever 27 for a second half-turn. On this rotation of shaft 25 the eccentric 34 temporarily rocks the swing 35, 35, 31 with the liftpin 35 to the left so that on the secondary clockcircuit-switch the spring 38 makes temporary contact with 42, and the spring 39 with 4D to re-switch the secondaries 44 by an impulse delivered in opposition to the previous one. At normal going of the clock system the periodic re-switching of the secondaries occurs in the usual way by current impulses of alternate direction.

If the clock system comes out of operation and has to be, say, adjusted forwards, then by depression of knob 59 the clutch BI is engaged and the hand-shaft 6 accordingly advanced so that the hands 7, H] are set to the given time. By this turn the discs [2, I4 are rotated farther in the direction of arrow 62 than with normal run of the clock, so that lever 21 does not yet become arrested prior to its completion of a half-turn; hence the driving power 26 can rotate the shaft 25 further to impart to the secondaries a number of successive impulses in accordance with the forward adjustment. If the advance thus set corresponds to, say, ten minutes, then by correspondingly setting the hands 1, ill by means of knob 59 the disc I2 is driven through one third rotation, the coupling pin 29 leaving the notches l3, [5 to rest against the contour of disc I2 so as to hold the cylinder segment 28 out of action upon lever 27. At the operation of the latter, whereby upon each rotation of the same two impulses of alternate direction are imparted to the secondaries, the disc I2 is restored slowly to its initial position in which the coupling pin 29 re-engages the notch 13, and the cylinder segment 28 comes to its rest position. Upon attainment of the foregoing setting, i, e. the secondaries 44 having terminated their advance according to it, the cylinder segment 28 re-enters the path of lever 2'! and arrests it together with the parts controlled by the driving power 21, and the system further resumes normal operation.

By the oscillation of the cylinder segment 28 into position which frees the lever 21, the lever 53 with its sign has been rocked into the sighthole 54 so that the position of the system on advance has become visible up to the time the cylinder segment 28 was turned back to its rest position.

If it is required to adjust the clock system backwards, i. e. to set it to aprevious local time, the hand-shaft B is turned back by .meansof knob 59 to the corresponding setting of hands I, I0, the discs I2, I4 being thereby caused to rotate in the direction of arrow '63. By this the cylinder segment 28 moves farther under the lever 2'1 to postpone its dwell on arrestment up to a moment in which upon return of the discs I2, I4 and controlled by the clock driving power I (again in the direction of arrow 82) the cylinder segment 28 resumesits position of rest. Consequently during this time the secondaries 44 stand still, and in the sight-hole the displayed sign of the rock-lever 53 indicates the lock of the secondaries. If the cylinder segment 28 has attained its normal operating position, the normal service of the secondaries 44 re-starts, since the cylinder segment 28 again performs then its movement of oscillation which brings about the aforedescribed control operation of the secondaries.

At current failure, the armature 46 of the closed current relay 45, 46 drops off under the tension of spring 49, its abutment being thereby swung into the motion path 52 of the ends of double lever 21 (the arm 41 meeting the stop 50) The lever 2'I falling from the cylinder segment 28 is then arrested by abutment 48 so that, upon restart of the secondaries for normal service, the associated switch becomes adjusted by the eccentric 34 for the appropriate transmission of impulses, whereupon, however, a lock occurs of the driving power 26 and of the parts directly controlled by it. As the cylinder segment 28 moves more and more away from the path 52 and is at longer current interruption kept resting with the coupling pin 29 against the contour of discs I2, I4, the master, on its continued run, stores up its given control impulses in the parts I2, I4, 28, and in the sight-hole 54 the indexmark 56 indicates the existing current failure. When current again becomes available, then, upon attraction of armature 45, the abutment 48 again releases the lever 2'. which moves, driven from 26 and unaffected by cylinder segment 28, transmitting thereby the impulses stored up to the secondaries according to the master. The clock driving power I thereby slowly restores the discs I2, I4 in the direction of arrow 63 and brings the cylinder segment 28, if all impulses stored up have been applied to the secondaries, eventually to the position which relocks lever 21.

If in one of the events described the secondaries are to be set to the given local time for a rather long period or during which the current failure lasts for more than half an hour, then, upon driving the disc I2 through one rotation the disc I4 is turned so far that its notch I lies no longer in alignment behind the notch I3 of disc I2, but is displaced thereto. Consequently, if upon rotation of the disc the notch I3 reaches the zone where the coupling pin 29 rests on the periphery of disc I2, the coupling pin 29 is prevented from engaging the notch I3, but remains alone over this stretch on periphery I4 with the cylinder segment 28 unchanged in the position which leaves thelever 2I uninfluenced. This operation repeats itself upon possible further rotations of the disc I2 when adjusting to a local time so that practically an advance or locking of the secondaries up to 12 hours can be set.

With the locking of the secondaries due to current failure there follows a storage Of the impulses which in a given case might reach the maximum of the 'going reserve of the clock driving power, since, although the notches I3, I5 of the discs I2, I4 enter in alignment to each other after a master clock going-time of 12, 24, 36 hours and so on, the coupling pin 29 yet permits momentarily only such a small backward oscillation'of the cylinder segment 28 that the latter cannot reach the path 52 of the ends of lever 27, because of the deflection of the cylinder segment from the rest position being then substantially greater than this slight backward oscillator movement.

The aforedescribed form of embodiment is only adapted for advance (forward adjustment) and locking. The invention, however, may likewise be utilized in a clock system in which the adjustment of the secondaries will be obtained by the clock running backwards to the setting time so that even for instantaneous observation the momentary service condition will be made known. In Fig. 2 of the drawing illustrating such a form of embodiment, the parts denoted in the preceding form by numerals 1 to 23 are omitted and the parts shown identical with those of the first example are designated in the same way.

A second double lever 21 bears against the.

cylinder segment 28 and the shafts 25 and 25 oi the two levers 21, 21 are each connected through gearing E 4 and 65, respectivelywhich latter incorporates an intermediate wheel for obtaining an opposed pivotal" movement of levers 2i, Zi -to a sun-wheel 66 and 61, respectively, of a differential arrangement whose planet wheel shaft 68 carries a pinion which in connection with the driving power 26, as in the first form of embodiment, now acts in a contrary way.

The shaft 25 carries, like that of 25, an cecentric 34 which in turn acts through a springcontrolled rocker 35 36 31* upon a switch 38 39 4%, H 42 in the same way as eccentric 34 through rocker 35-3'I upon switch 3842. The secondaries 44 have each a forward setting relay is and a backward setting relay II, the former i6 being put into the secondary clock circuit with switch 38-49, and the second relay II with switch 38 42 The pinion 24 which, as in the first form of embodiment, acts upon a sun-wheel of the differential shaft I I (not shown here) rides fast on axis 72 of the planet wheel I3 of a differential arrangement whose one sun-wheel I4 is positively connected and rotates in sympathy with the wheel secured to shaft 25 of gearing 64, and whose other sun-wheel l5 likewise rotates in sympathy with and is positively connected to the wheel rigidly mounted on shaft 25 of gearing 65. At normal running of the clock system the cylinder segment 28 oscillates, thus enabling lever 2I, as'

in the preceding example, to act upon the secondaries 44 for the purpose of transmitting impulses. This oscillation has no bearing on lever 2'! which remains locked by cylinder segment 28.

If the secondaries 44 are to be set forward, the cylinder segment 28 is oscillated in the direction of arrow I5, i. e. in the same way as in the first example, so as to release lever 21 which via eccentric 341, rocker (or swing) 353I and switch 3842 causes operation of the forward setting relays at alternating impulses, a closing of the circuit being completed one time over 38, as and 39, M and the other time over 38, 42 and 35, 49. The return moment of the driving power (28 as per Fig. 1) acting over 69 upon levers 27 and 2'! is then transmitted through parts 66, 64, I4, I3 and I2 onto the pinion 24 inthe same way as in the first form of embodiment, the cylinder segment 28 being then slowly restored through the drive 23l2 from pinion 24 to the position which relocks lever 21.

If it is required to set the secondaries 44 backwards, a corresponding reversal of the handshaft 6 will then cause the cylinder segment 28 to oscillate in the direction of arrow 11. Thus the lever 21 becomes freed and effects through eccentric 34 and switch M --42 the operation of the backwards setting relays H at alternating impulses, a closing of the current being brought about one time over 38 Ml and 39 All and the other time over 38 82 and 39 40 The backward driving moment is then again transferred through parts 61, 65, 15, I3 and 12 onto pinion 24 in a way opposed to the previous one, the cylinder segment 28 being thereby slowly returned to the position which looks lever 21.

For setting the hands of the main clock to the given local time the knob 59 must not necessarily be provided with the coupling shaft 51, 58, as this setting could be performed as well direct on the hands and it depends rather on the casing and accessibility of the clock interior whether the one or the other mode of setting applies. If the main clock is entirely enclosed or perhaps only the dial plate visible of it, the operation by knob seems to be appropriate; if, however, the main clock is closed on the face by a glass cover which has to be removed for rewinding or regulation of the clock, the hands thereof can readily serve then for the setting.

The aforedescribed arrangement enables the setting of a clock system to a given local time to be achieved independently of the time required for adjusting forwards or backwards or locking of the secondaries, since a control device transfers the settable amount, the person charged with the adjustment having merely to accomplish the hand-setting of the master clock.

Thanks to its simplicity, the arrangement under review may be utilized in all types of clock systems with master, i. e. in both portable and stationary ones, whereby in the latter case the adaptability to forward adjustment or looking will be considered above all, since it is then, as with the standstill of a system, a question of adjustment at gaining rate or, with leading time, of temporary stoppage. For a portable system, however, i. e. chiefly on ships, the adaptability to backward setting may, for the reason explained,

still find a practical use.

What I claim is:

1. In a master and secondary clock system, first driving means for driving the master clock, impulsing means for the secondary clocks second driving means for actuating said impulsing means. and control means interconnecting said driving means periodically locking and unlocking said second driving means in response to momentary advances of said first driving means and unlocking said second driving means for continuous operation through a greater than momentary period when the master clock is re-set through a greater than momentary period said control means including a pair of notched discs geared to rotate at different speeds, a differential interconnecting said discs and said first and second driving means, a cylindrical segment rotatably driven by said discs to lock and unlock said second driving means, and a coupling pin on said segment engageable with said discs.

2. In a master and secondary clock system, first driving means for driving the master clock, impulsing means for the secondary clocks second driving means for actuating said impulsing means, and control means interconnecting said driving means periodically locking and unlocking said second driving means in response to momentary advances of said first driving means and unlocking said second driving means for continuous operation through a greater than momentary period when the master clock is re-set through a greater than momentary period said control means including a pair of notched discs geared to rotate at diiferent speeds, a differential interconnecting said discs and said first and second driving means, a cylindrical segment rotatably mounted, a two armed lever driven by said second driving means and adapted to engage said segment at certain positions of rotation of said segment, and a coupling pin on said segment engageable with said discs.

3. In a master and secondary clock system, first driving means for driving the master clock, impulsing means for the secondary clocks second driving means for actuating said impulsing means, and control means interconnecting said driving means periodically locking and unlocking said second driving means in response to momentary advances of said first driving means and unlocking said second driving means for continuous operation through a greater than momentary period when the master clock is re-set through a greater than momentary period said control means including a pair of notched discs geared to rotate at different speeds, a differential interconnecting said discs and said first and second driving means, a cylindrical segment rotatably mounted, a two armed lever driven by said second driving means and adapted to engage said segment at certain positions of rotation of said segment, a coupling pin on said segment engageable with said discs and braking means for said second driving means.

4. In a master and secondary clock system, first driving means for driving the master clock, impulsing means for the secondary clocks second driving means for actuating said impulsing means, and control means interconnecting said driving means periodically locking and unlocking said second driving means in response to momentary advances of said first driving means and unlocking said second driving means for continuous operation through a greater than momentary period when the master clock is re-set through a greater than momentary period said control means including a pair of notched discs geared to rotate at different speeds, a differential interconnecting said discs and said first and second driv ing means, a cylindrical segment rotatably mounted, a coupling pin on said segment to engage the peripheries or notches of said discs, spring means biasing said segment to a normal position, a shaft driven by said second driving means, a two armed lever on said shaft adapted to engage said segment at certain positions of rotation of said segment, and a cam on said shaft for actuating said impulsing means.

5. In a master and secondary clock system, first driving means for driving the master clock, impulsing means for the secondary clocks second driving means for actuating said impulsing means, and control means interconnectin said driving means periodically locking and unlocking said second driving means in response to momentary advances of said first driving means and unlocking said second driving means for continuous operation through a greater than momentary period when the master clock is re-set through a greater than momentary period said control means including a pair of notched discs geared to rotate at different speeds, a first differential interconnecting said discs and said first and second driving means, a cylindrical segment rotatably mounted, a coupling pin on said segment to engage the peripheries or notches of said discs, a pair of two armed levers adapted to engage said segment at certain positions of rotation of said segment, a second differential interconnecting each of said levers and said second driving means, and a third differential interconnecting each of said levers with said discs through said first differential.

6. In a master and secondary clock system, first driving means for driving the master clock, impulsing means for the secondary clocks second driving means for actuating said impulsing means, and control means interconnecting said driving means periodically locking and unlocking said second driving means in response to momentary advances of said first driving means and unlocking said second driving means for continuous operation through a greater than momentary period when the master clock is re-set through a greater than momentary period said control means including a pair of notched discs geared to rotate at different speeds, a differential interconnecting said discs and said first and second driving means, a cylindrical segment rotatably mounted, a two armed lever driven by said second driving means and adapted to engage said segment at certain positions of rotation of said segment, a coupling pin on said segment engageable with said discs and a locking member movable into the path of said two armed lever upon electric power failure.

7 In a master and secondary clock system, first driving means for driving the master clock, im-

pulsing means for the secondary clocks second driving means for actuating said impulsing means, and control means interconnecting said driving means periodically locking and unlocking said second driving means in response to momentary advances of said first driving means and unlocking said second driving means for continuous operation through a greater than momentary period when the master clock is re-set through a greater than momentary period said control means including a pair of notched discs geared to rotate at different speeds, a difierential interconmeeting said discs and said first and second driving means, a cylindrical segment rotatably mounted, a two armed lever driven by said second driving means and adapted to engage said segment at certain positions of rotation of said segment, a coupling pin on said segment engageable with said discs, a solenoid normally energized, and an abutment on the armature of said solenoid to move into the path of said two armed lever upon power failure and deenergization of the solenoid.

PHILIPP VANNIN I.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,476,261 Mansel Dec. 4, 1923 1,847,313 Shoenberg Mar. 1, 1932 1,926,901 Harrison Sept. 12, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 439,354 Great Britain Dec. 2, 1935 

